Signal system.



No. 817,497. PATENTED APR. 10, 1906 J. H. LYNCH. SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED OOT.25. 1905.

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J. H. LYNCH. SIGNAL SYSTEM. AIRLIOATION FILED 001 .25. 1905.

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JOSEPH HAMILTON LYNCH, or RED BANK, New JERSEY.

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Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented. April 10, 1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH HAMILTON LYNCH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Red Bank, in the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and lmproved Signal System, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an automatic siglnial system for use on locomotives and the lie.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide means whereby the passage of, a train over a certain part of the roadway can be caused to set certain signals in the rear for the observation of the crew of any train a'pproaching from behind, and, furthermore, to provide means whereby the setting of these signals will not only permi t the crew to uni] erstand the positiorr'gfa train in advance, but to automatically give a signal in the cab of the engine or other convenient place and ap ply air-brakes to automatically stop the approaching train.

The present invention deals principally with mechanism by which the signals are operated in the locomotive and the air-brakes applied and means forsetting anobstruction in a plurality of positions, thereby giving different signals to the operator of the locomotive, and also for providing for setting the signals and obstruction when a train passes a given'point and for gradually lowering said obstruction and hiding the signals after the train passes.

Further objects of the invention will appear below.

Reference is to behad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a 01'- tion of a railway, showing one way in w ich the electrical connections can be made for the purpose of setting the signals and accomplishing the other results mentioned above. Fig. 2 is a side view of a locomotive, showing diagrammatically certain electricalv connections and other important features of m invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective View 0 certain details of the locomotive! Fig. 4 is a central sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 5 of a portion of signal-setting device which constitutes apart of the invention. Fig. 5isasectional view on the line5 5 of Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4.

the pilot.

I will first describe the principle of the mechanism which I employ on the locomotive or other part of the frame for transmitting signals and turning on the air-brakes, reference being had especially to Figs. 2 and 3. On the pilot is located a bracket 10, having guides 1 1 for directin the motion of a reciprocable bar 12. This bar ispivotally connected with a shoe 13 near its lower end, the shoe also being pivoted to the bracket. This shoe preferab y has a curved lower surface, so that when it comes into contact with any obstruction along the roadway it will be moved upwardly without any very sudden jar. A sprin 14 is preferably em loyed for cushionim this motion. These alts may be duplicated on the other side of t e engine, so as to provide for operating in-both directions and also independently of the side of the track upon which'the obstruction is located. For connecting the two devices on the o posite sides of the engine together I provi e an oscillatable rod 15, mounted in bearings on This rod is provided with arms 16, pivotally connected with the upper ends of the reciprocable bars 12. Consequently these bars will be oscillated when either of the shoes 13 is moved upwardly. The rod is also provided with an arm 17, which extends in a direction. either parallel with the arms 16 or at a slight angle thereto, and to this arm is secured the end of a flexible connection 18, which runs downwardly over a pulley 19 and then upwardly over pulleys 20 to a plate 21, reciprocably mounted in a frame 22 on the cab or anyother convenient part of the 1000- motive or car. The plate is provided with two or more bars 23 and 24, which serve as guidesfor the plate, and springs 25, connected with them, serve to normally force the plate. inwardly against the operation of the reci rocable bars 12. The bars 23 and 24 are p aced one above the other, and they roject through openings 26 into a well 27, ocated in any convenient osition upon the locomotive or car. The bar 23, which is above the bar 24, rojects a shorter distance into the well than t e bar 24. Located in this well and vertically slidable therein is a weight 28, adapted to rest on the bar 23 when the latter is in the normal position; but when operated by the shoe 13 the bar 23 can be withdrawn, leaving the bar 24 still projecting into the well. This bar'will then sustain the weight at: a lower position in the well. If this bar is then completely withdrawn, the

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.placed by an insulating plate or surface.

Located in two positions near the bottom of the well are two pairs of open contacts 31 and 32. These contacts are so located that when the bar 23 is in the position shown in Fig. 2 the weight will be above both of them and they will both be pen When, however, this bar is withdrawn and the weight rests on the bar 24, the conducting-surface 29 will bridge the contacts 31 and close them. When both bars are withdrawn and -the weight rests upon the bottom of the well, the

surface 29 will bridge and close the contacts 32, while the contacts 31 will remain open on account of the space or insulating material 30 being opposite them. The two contacts are connected, respectively, with conductors 33 and 34, both being connected with a battery or other source of power 35. The circuit in which the conductor 33 is located contains a green light 36 and a bell or other audible signal 37. The circuit in which the conductor 34 is contained is provided with a red light 38 and abell or other audible signal 39. The signal 39 is intended to be of a louder and more noticeable character than the signal 37. It will be clear that only one of these circuits will be closed at the same time and that when the bar 23 is withdrawn, leavingthe bar 24 projecting into the well, the green light and the weaker signal 37 will be operated; but when both bars are withdrawn the red light and the stronger signal 39 will be operated. The weight 28 is provided with a flexible connection 40, which passes over pulleys 41 and is connected with a lever 42, which controls the air-brake system of the train. This connection 40 is also provided with a handle 43.-

It will be readily understood that when the weight drops the lever 42 will be operated.

1 It is preferable to connect this lever with the air-brake system in such a way that when the weight drops to such a position as to rest onthe bar 24 the brakes will be set in the position ordinaril when the Weight rops to the bottom of the well the air-brakes will be applied with full force.

From the description which has beengiven above it will be seen that I have provided for giving a lurality of signals of different char acter and for operating the air-brake lever in a plurality of diiferent ways. I have illustrated only two, and for ordinary purposes this will be enough. The application of these signals and the brakes depends upon, the

manner in which the shoe 13 is operated, and

this in turn will depend upon the height or position of an obstruction to be placed adja-. cent to the roadway. For the purpose ofprop-t erly operatin the shoe 13 I haveeqnstructed means where y an obstruction can besetat called service, while anism which I have illustrated for accomplishing this purpose, reference being had to Figs. 4, 5, and 6. cated adjacent to the side of the track, I have shown four solenoids 45, 46, 47, and 48. These solenoids are designed to be energized in a way which will be described below. The

In a box or casing 44, lo-

two solenoids 45 and 47 are placed opposite each other, and their armatures are mounted on a sliding rod 49. The armatures of the solenoids 46 and 48 are similarly mounted or connected with a sliding rod 50. It will be understood that the energizing of either of the solenoids 45 or 46 will draw thei'dds 49 or 50 to the right, while the op sit will be produced by the solenoids 47 and 48. On the two rods are located projections .51

and 52, extending through perforations 53 i in an inner casing 54, mounted in the box. These projections are connected with slides 55 and 56, respectively. .These two slides are substantially alike in general form, each one being provided with one or more, upwardly-extending lugs 57 and 58. These lugs preferably have inclined surfaces 59 upon one side. tude than the lugs 57., and this is practically the only difference in the construction of these two slides. Located in a slot 60 in an upwardly-extending casing 61 on the top of the box is a frame 62. This frame extends across the space occupied by the two series of lugs 57 and 58 and is provided with downwardly extending lugs 63, having inclined surfaces 64, adapted to engage the inclined surfaces 59. These lugs are intended to rest upon the top of either of the lugs 57 or 58. It will be obvious that the reciprocation of the bars 55 and 56 will lift the frame 62 to different heights, according to which one of the bars is manipulated. The frame 62 is provided with guiding-surfaces 65, engaging the front and rear internal surfaces of the casing The lugs 58 are ofless alti- 61, so as to guide the frame to move in a vertical direction. The frame is also provided with a projecting shoulder 66, operatmg-as a guard to protect the internal parts of the de- .67 is raised either to its intermediate or its 7 highest position, I have shown a conducting- ,plate 68 on the rod50 and a conducting-plate '69 on the rod from the"rods on which they are mounted.

These plates are insulated On the box 44 I'have placed contacting mem bers -70 and 71, engagipgfiispectively, the

seen that at this time these circuits will be device may be closed. The circuit 72 is connected with an operating device 74, while the circuit 73 is connected with a similar 0 crating device 75. The former operates a re signal 76 and the latter a green signal 77. Consequently when the solenoids are so operated as to raise the frame 62 and the obstruction or projection 67 to an intermediate point the green signal will be displayed, and when they are so oper ated as to raise it to its highest point the red signal will be displayed, These parts of the ocated at any convenient point along the railroad.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated one way in which the parts can be so connected as to 0 erate in accordance with my principle. n this figure I have shown a series of conductors a, each connected with a battery I) and with a contact 0 on one of the rails of the railway. Each of these conductors a is connected with a conductor d, which extends along g winding on the solenoid 48 is connected with a'conductor 71,. The opposite end of the winding of the solenoid is connected with a conductor 7c. The conductor 70, by means wires a, d, f, and l. i 45 and 46 will be energized and the red and of a wire I, is connected with a.contact m, which is located on the track exactly opposite the contact 0, and consequently when a train passes this point the circuit between the two points 0 and m will be completed. The current will consequently be sent around the Hence the two solenoids green signals at this point will be displayed,

I while the obstruction 67 is raised to the highbrake.

est point, and any train which follows the train passing this point while these elements are in this conditlon will be warned-oi the danger and automatically stopped by the air- I have also provided means whereby when the train passes on out of the block and into the next block the red signal will be the frame 62 lowered from its highestinto its intermediate position. This I accomplish by connecting the wire In of one of the systems with the wire it of the preeedin one by means eta-conductor 11.. Now whent e train passes nto the next block it will form a contact be lowered, the green one bein left in position. I also provide means w ereby when the train reaches thethird block ahead it will lower the green si 11:31 and leave the road free.

This is aecom lis ed b connecting the wire g of each bloc or station with the wire 7c of the third station ahead by means of an extension of the conductor n. It will be readily seen that when the locomotive forms the contact between the third points m and c a current will be sent over the conductor a through the solenoid 47 and draw back the rod 49, so as to lower the green signal. This has a corres ending effect on the frame 62.

t the right of Fig. l I have shown how the system may be employed when automatic signals are not used, the signals being operated from a tower or other operating-station. In this case the solenoids 45, 46, 47, and48- are not employed, but the rods 49 and 50 are used in the same way as before, and they are operated directlyor indirectly .by levers 78. In Fi 1 l have re resented diagrammatically t e projection. 7, but have not shown ow it is connected with the other parts, as that is clearly illustrated in the other figures. It will of course be understood that the wiring is designed to suit the road, the invention being applicable either to a double or to a single trac road. Also at switches the signals are preferably so connected with the op-- eratin mechanism as to be properly controlle by-it. t

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- IOG 1. A signal system comprising a movable connection secured to said bo y, and a lever for controlling an air-brake system connected with said connection.

.3. Anautomatio signal system for railways and the like, comprising a weight, means for supporting the weight, means for releasing the weight, an open contact adapted to be closed by the descent of the Weight, an electric circuit in connection with the contact and having a signal device, a flexible connection secured to said Weight, and a lever for an airbrake system connected with saidflexible connection.

4. An automatic signal system for railways and the like, compring a movable body, means for holding thebody in a certain posi tion, means for releasing the body to allow it to move to another position, an open contact adapted to beclosed by the movement of the body, an electric circuit in connection with said contact and having a signal device, a

flexible connection secured to said body, and

a lever forcontrolling an fair-brake system connected with said connection. I

5. A signal system comprising a weight, a pluralityof bars adapted to project into the path of the weight, said bars being at different heights, and being adapted to support the weight, a pair of signals, and means connected with each signal for operating it when the weight descends into certain ositions.

6. An automatic signal system or railways and the like, comprising a wei'ght; means for supporting the weight, means for releasing the weight, an open contact adapted to be closed by the descent of the weight, an electric circuit in connection with the contact and having a signal device, a second open contact ada ted to be closed by said weight, and a secon circuit connected with the second contact and having a signal device.

7. rAn automatic signal system, comprising a weight, a plurality of bars adapted'to ro- 'ect into the path of said Weight, said ars' eing of different lengths, and means for closing a plurality of electrical circuits by the descent of said weight.

8. An automatic signal system, comprising a weight, a plurality of bars adapted to roject into the path of said weight, said v ars being of different lengths, and means for closing a plurality of electrical circuits by the descent of said weight; said means comprising a series of open contacts located in the path of said weig t, the weight having means for closing certain of said contacts when resting on any of said bars.

9. An automatic signal system, comprising a well, a Weight mounted therein, a bar adapted to project into the well for holding the Weight in elevated position, a second bar adapte to project into the well for holding the weight in a lower position, means for removing the first bar, and a series of electrical contacts located opposite said bars and adap ted to be closed by the wei ht.

16. An automatic signa system, comprising a Well, a Weight mounted therein, a bar adapted to project into the well for holding the weight in elevated position, a second bar adapted to be closed adapted to project into the well for holding the weight in a lower position, means for removing the first bar, and a series of electrical contacts located 0 posite said bars and y the weight; said weight having a conducting-surface for enaging said contacts, and an insulating-sur iace located above the conducting hurface for insulating such contacts'from a'ch other as are located above the conducti g-su'rface.

11. A signal system comprising a movable.

body, a bar adapted to engage said body and prevent its movement beyond a certain point, a second bar also adapted to engage the body, the second bar being longer than the first, and means for simultaneously with- I drawing the first bar and partially withdrawing the second.

' 12. A signal system comprising a pair of bars of unequal length, a contact device' adapted to be supported by said bars, springs for forcing said bans into operative position, and means for withdrawing either or both of said bars from operative position. 13. A signal system comprising a pair of bars of unequal length, a contact device adapted to be supported by said bars, springs for forcing said bars into operative position, and means for withdrawing either or both of said bars from operative position; said means comprising a movable shoe and connections from the shoe to the bars.

14. A signal system comprising a pair of ing said bars; said means comprising a pivoted shoe, a reciprocating bar connected with the shoe, and a flexible connection between the b'ar'and said plate.

15. A signal system com rising a pair of bars of unequal length, a p ate upon which said bars are mounted, means for movin said bars, said means comprising a pivoted shoe, a reciprocating bar connected'with the shoe and a flexible connection betweenthe bar and said plate, and means located along a road-bed for raising said shoe to a plurality of different heights.

16. A signal system comprising a pair of bars of unequal length, a p ate upon which said bars are mounted, means for movin said bars, said meanscomprising a pivoted shoe, a reciprocating bar connected with the shoe and a flexible connection between the bar and said plate, a series of vertically-re ciprocable bars located along a road-bed, and means connected with each bar for raising it to a plurality of different heights, said bars being adapted to engage said shoe and raise it.

17. A Signal s stem comprising a pair of bars of unequal angth, a plate upon which said bars are mounted, means for moving said bars, said means comprising a pivoted shoe, a reciprocating bar connected With the shoe and a flexible connection between the reciprocable bars each having a projection said bars and having downwardly-extending thereon, the projections on one bar being higher than those on the other, means for reciprocating said bars, a frame resting on the projections of said bars, and means on said frame forengaging said shoe.

18. An operating device for a signal system, comprising a pair of bars having rojections thereon, the projections of one fiar being higher than those of the other, means for reciprocating said bars, a framelocated above lugs adapted to engage the projections on the bars, a plurality of signals, and electrical connections between said bars and said signals for operating the signals when the bars are reciprocated.

19. An operating device for a signal system, comprising four solenoids arranged in pairs, two rods, each rod entering two of said solenoids and located between them, said rods constituting armatures for the solenoids,

a pair of bars one connected with each of said rods, an obstruction, and means connected with said bars for raising said obstruction to different heights.

20. In an electric system, the combination of an open circuit adapted to be closed by the passage of a train, an operating device connected with said circuit, said 0 crating de vice having a pair of bars rovi ed with lugs projecting upwardly to di erent heights, and means connected with said circuit for moving one of said bars.

21. In an electric system, the combination of a plurality of circuits, a frame having an obstruction thereon, means connected with one of said circuits for raising and lowering said frame, and means connected with another of said circuits for raising said frame to a different height. a v

22. In an electric system, the combination of a plurality of open circuits adapted to be closed by the passage of a train, a verticallymovable framehaving an obstruction located adjacent to a track and to each of said circuits, means connected with one of the cir cuits for raising the bar to its highest position when a train passes and closes the adjacent circuit, and means for lowering the bar to an intermediate position when the train passes the next circuit.

23. In an electric system, the combination of a railway-track having a plurality of contacts adapted to be closed by the passage of a train, an electric circuit in connection with each contact, a frame located adjacent toeachcontact and adapted to be raised into two different ppsitions, means for raising said frame to its 'ghest position when a train passes the contact located adjacent to it, means for lowering the frame to an intermediate position whena train passes the contact next beyond, and means for completely lowering the frame when a train passes the third contact.

24. In an electric signal system, the combination of a railway-track having a series of' open contacts adapted to be closed by the passage of a train, an electric circuit connected with each contact, a pair of signals controlled h each of said circuits, a vertically-movab e frame located adjacent to said track and to the signals, meansfor raising said frame to its hi hest position and displaya ing both signals w on a train passes the adjacent contacts, means'for lowering one of said signals and lowering said frame to an intermediate position when a train passes the next contact, and meansfor lowering the .other si nal and completely lowering the frame w en the train passes the third contact.

In testimony whereof- I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. JOSEPH HAMILTON LYINOH. Witnesses:

F. W. HANAFORD, EVERARD B..MARSHALL 

